Czar Samuel’s remains returned to Bulgaria in cultural exchange with Greece
publishers 12articles 15first reported 3 Oct, 10:31 UTCdeveloping since 3 Oct · 8 editions
The remains believed to be those of medieval ruler Czar Samuel arrived in Sofia on Saturday after Greece and Bulgaria concluded a cultural-repatriation agreement negotiated over decades.
The remains, discovered by archaeologists in northern Greece in the 1960s, were flown aboard a Bulgarian military aircraft with a fighter-jet escort. They were received with full state honors, including a 21-gun salute, before a procession carried them to the Church of Saint Sofia, where members of the public could pay respects. Thousands attended the ceremony, according to Al Jazeera.
Samuel ruled the First Bulgarian Empire from 997 until his death in 1014 and fought a prolonged war against the Byzantine Empire. He remains a prominent symbol of Bulgarian national identity, while his historical legacy is also claimed in North Macedonia.
Under the broader agreement, Bulgaria is returning 48 religious artifacts to Greece, including icons, crosses and ecclesiastical vessels removed from churches and monasteries in northern Greece by Bulgarian troops during World War I. The objects had been held at Bulgaria’s National History Museum.
At a handover ceremony in Thessaloniki, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Samuel, once a source of division, now united the neighboring countries. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the exchange demonstrated the political will needed to resolve cultural-property disputes and expressed hope that it would support Greece’s campaign for the return of the Parthenon sculptures from Britain.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 6 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 30 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 12
- Source articles
- 15
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 6
- This version written
- 30 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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